It was a hard lesson learned and Shawn Lemon still isn’t sure why it all transpired.

After enjoying what he thought was a pretty good season with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2012, the defensive lineman found himself on the outside looking in when the Esks let him go, thus presenting him with the opportunity to sign with their southern neighbours, the Calgary Stampeders.

“It kind of caught me off guard,” admitted Lemon, after Monday’s training camp session at McMahon Stadium. “After leading the team in sacks last year, I really didn’t expect it. As a professional athlete, it opened my eyes up to always expect the unexpected and to always dot your ‘I’s and cross your ‘T’s. Always expect the unexpected and never get too comfortable in a situation.

“Edmonton was very good to me while I was there, but right now I just want to move forward as a Calgary Stampeder.”

The 6-foot-1, 249-pounder from Charleston, S.C., signed with Calgary as a free agent in early June.

“I was very excited,” said Lemon. “Calgary was a very successful team last year in the CFL and I am just happy to be a part of this organization. Camp’s going good. I’m just getting better every day, taking the little things and working on the small details, trying to fine-tune my game as a pass rusher and as a player to be a positive on this defence.”

He may be new to the specific schemes and the internal lingo, but Lemon has something that many of the other newcomers at camp don’t have and that’s a knowledge of the Canadian Football League. And that can make all the difference.

“He’s brought some veteran experience,” agreed Stamps’ defensive line coach DeVone Claybrooks. “He’s played in this league and he’s been successful. He’s brought in leadership; when you come from a different team you have to understand how we do things that are different so he’s done a good job of grasping those concepts. He’s grown as a player every day. He’s been a good addition.”

“As a starter in Edmonton for 11 games last year, I kind of have a better I.Q. of the CFL,” the 24-year-old out of Akron noted. “I know what to expect. I’ve played against most of the offensive tackles, so as a pass rusher I’m just trying to improve.”

His stats in Edmonton last season were workmanlike. In addition to sharing the team lead with six sacks, he recorded 16 tackles, two pass knockdowns, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. That was only part of an eventful 2012, which also saw him toil in arena football on both coasts, with the San Jose Sabercats and the Orlando Predators.

“Arena football has prepared me for the CFL,” Lemon pointed out. “For a lot of guys off-season training is one thing, but actually playing football, going from one league to another, you’re already in shape. You already have a playing mentality. So it kind of helped convert over to the CFL. Everywhere you go you just try to take some positives and put it into one.”

In other Stampeder news on Monday, linebacker Keon Raymond, hampered by a sprained ankle, is expected to miss the pre-season game on Thursday in Regina against the Roughriders.

“Hopefully he’ll be ready for the first game,” said head coach and GM John Hufnagel, who added that the vacant position would be filled internally. “They’re very flexible in the back end there and it’ll give us an opportunity to see a younger guy longer.”

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.